Title: Ayoade on Ayoade: A Cinematic Odyssey
Author: Richard Ayoade
First published September 30, 2014
303 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780571316526 (ISBN10: 0571316522)
Rating: 3.47
Overview
Would it be too much to say that Richard Ayoade’s sharp wit has revolutionized the way we approach filmmaking? No, it wouldn’t.
It’s actually quite surprising that the film industry hasn’t given him more recognition for his contributions. Richard Ayoade is a multi-talented artist – a film director (known for Submarine and The Double), an actor (famous for his role in The IT Crowd), a comedian and a TV presenter (host of Gadget Man).
In Ayoade on Ayoade, we get to see the director in his own words – hilarious, self-absorbed, and brutally honest. Join him on a cinematic odyssey that will leave you laughing and questioning the art of filmmaking.
About the Author
Meet Richard Ellef Ayoade, a multi-talented British entertainer. He’s a comedian, film director, screenwriter, television presenter, actor, and author.
You may recognize him from his portrayal of the socially inept IT technician, Maurice Moss, in the popular Channel 4 sitcom, The IT Crowd. In fact, his performance in the show earned him the coveted 2014 BAFTA award for Best Male Comedy Performance.
Editoral Review
Ayoade on Ayoade: A Cinematic Odyssey by Richard Ayoade is a witty and creative book that offers a unique and entertaining insight into the mind of the renowned British comedian, writer, and director. Published in 2014, the book explores Ayoade’s career and his distinctive style, combining personal anecdotes, film analyses, and comedy sketches to create a genre-bending work that defies easy categorization.
As an accomplished filmmaker and performer, Ayoade has a wealth of experience and expertise to draw upon, and his book showcases his eclectic tastes and influences, from French New Wave to Hollywood blockbusters, from comedy to horror. The book’s structure is unconventional, with Ayoade playfully adopting the guise of both interviewer and interviewee, discussing his own work and that of other filmmakers as if engaged in a lively conversation with himself.
The book’s main strength lies in Ayoade’s irrepressible wit and his ability to find humor in unexpected places. Whether he’s revealing his fondness for obscure European auteurs or dissecting the quirks of his own personality, Ayoade infuses his writing with a sharp and self-deprecating humor that is both endearing and insightful.
Another notable aspect of the book is its visual design, which is playful, stylish, and inventive, with Ayoade’s distinctive font and illustrations adding a whimsical touch to the proceedings. The book is also well-researched and informative, providing detailed analyses of various films and filmmakers, alongside insightful commentary on the state of modern cinema.
Despite its many strengths, Ayoade on Ayoade is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the book’s non-linear structure and casual tone challenging, and others may yearn for a more in-depth discussion of Ayoade’s creative process and his personal life.
Additionally, some of the jokes and references may be lost on readers who are not familiar with Ayoade’s previous work or the British comedy scene. Overall, however, Ayoade on Ayoade is a delightful and engaging read, full of humor, insight, and creative energy.
It will appeal to anyone with an interest in cinema, comedy, or creative processes, and it is a testament to Ayoade’s skills as both an entertainer and a storyteller. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
